To achieve this mission, FMCSA places safety as the highest priority of the Agency as we continue to strengthen our partnerships, reach out to all stakeholders, collaborate effectively, offer grants to States and highway safety groups, and support data utilization and leveraging technology.

Challenges Ahead

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is dedicated to saving lives by reducing crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This fact sheet provides a snapshot of the CMV industry as it relates to fatalities resulting from large truck and bus crashes. Data is based on crash data from both FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While progress has been made to reduce crashes involving large trucks and buses, more work remains to accomplish our vision, namely, moving towards towards zero large truck and bus fatalities.

Note: FARS data includes 10,000 to 14,000 lb trucks. Though these vehicles are categorized as large trucks, they are not necessarily used for commercial purposes. Personal vehicles not used for a commercial purpose, though categorized as large, are not regulated by FMCSA.

Ten States with the highest average of fatal large truck and bus crashes for 2010–2012

49% of fatal crashes involving at least one large truck or bus49% of fatalities resulting from a crash involving at least one large truck or bus49% of all FARS fatal crashes

Source: FARS 2010-2014 data

Large Truck Fatal Crash Data

At least 34% of large truck occupants killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt

Speed was a factor in 20% of truck crashes with at least one large truck occupant fatality

63% of fatal crashes involving a large truck occured in rural areas

24% of fatal crashes in work zones involved a large truck

6% involved large truck driver distraction as a factor, of which 11% was related to cell phone use

Source: Large Truck Fatal Crash Data 2012

Key Partnerships

FMCSA will continue to strengthen our partnerships as we strive to make our roadways safer for the public and the CMV industry—one mile at a time. The following is a non-exhaustive list of our partners, whose efforts we recognize in working towards our safety mission.